NREDA Scholarship Program

The Nebraska Economic Developers Association (NEDA) is pleased to announce that, with the support of Nebraska Department of Economic Development, ten (10) $500 scholarships are being made available for NEDA members to attend their first National Rural Economic Developers Association (NREDA) annual conference in Omaha this November. The theme of this year’s conference is “The Ripple Effect of Economic Development” and it will be held November 13-15, 2024.

NREDA is a member organization dedicated to the advancement of rural economic development by providing education and networking opportunities to further the movement of growing and revitalizing rural America. With over 300 members from more than 30 states, including xx members from Nebraska, NREDA strives to equip its members to collaborate with strategic partners to drive measurable growth in rural America. Its annual conference is a premier networking and educational conference for rural economic developers with an expected attendance around 200 people. This year’s conference includes presentations on leadership, manufacturing automation and its impact on rural manufacturers, renewable energy projects, brownfield redevelopment and the statewide economic impact of the Lincoln Premium Poultry (LPP) project and much more. Separate mobile classrooms on Thursday morning will highlight developments in Plattsmouth, Nebraska,  Carson, Iowa as well as a tour of LPP. A pre-conference, included in the registration cost will focus on the power of connectivity. Ample networking opportunities are provided throughout the event as well.

For more information about the organization and this year’s annual conference please visit Home (nreda.org) [nreda.org] or contact long-time Nebraska NREDA members Rick Nelsen, rjnelse@nppd.com or Lisa Hurley, this year’s conference chair, lhurley@yorkdevco.com. Please see the attached document and application form for more information. Scholarship applications are due no later than August 16, 2024.


NEDA Scholarship Program

NEDA offers scholarships for continuing education for members. The scholarships are awarded annually on a competitive basis.

Type of trainings/education that are considered for scholarships are:

    Basic Economic Development Course (BEDC)

  • Heartland Economic Development Course, Kansas City, MO (preferred BEDC for NEDA Members)

    International Economic Development Council’s (IEDC) Courses

  • Business Credit Analysis

  • Business Retention and Expansion

  • Economic Development Credit Analysis

  • Economic Development Finance

  • Economic Development Marketing and Attraction

  • Entrepreneurial and Small Business Development Strategies

  • Real Estate Development and Reuse

   Economic Development Institute (EDI)—Years 1, 2 and 3

   Grow America (Previously National Development Council) Courses (more listed on website):

  • ED 101-Economic Development Finance

  • ED 201-Business Credit Analysis

  • ED 202-Real Estate Finance

  • ED 300-The Art of Deal Structuring

Criteria for applicants include:

  • The NEDA member must be a member of NEDA for a minimum of three months prior to the scholarship application deadline before applying for a Basic Economic Development Course (BEDC) scholarship.

  • The NEDA member must be a member of NEDA for at least one year prior to the training/education course date before applying for a scholarship to IEDC courses, EDI or Grow America courses.

  • Additionally, the applicant must complete the official scholarship application form (attached or found on the NEDA website), as well as have a written letter of recommendation from the applicant’s chief executive officer or the chairman/president of the board.

  • NOTE: Scholarships are never awarded for training/education already attended.

  • If an applicant has not attended Basic Economic Development Course (BEDC), then no scholarships can be awarded for other training/education.

Process for awarding the scholarships:

  • The scholarship application and all accompanying materials must be postmarked by the deadline listed on the application.

  • The Scholarship Committee will review the applications and make recommendations to the NEDA Board of Directors.

  • The NEDA Board of Directors will make the final determination on the number of awards to be made.

  • If an applicant is chosen, the scholarship must be used within one year of it being awarded.

  • A photocopy of the check or credit card receipt sent by the applicant to pay for registration must be sent to the NEDA Executive Director. The NEDA Executive Director will then reimburse the successful scholarship applicant.

  • The successful scholarship applicant is expected to send a written report to the NEDA President and make an oral report to the membership at the NEDA conference following completion of the course.

Availability:

  • NEDA members are eligible for scholarships in the amounts of $250 or $500 to be used toward tuition costs only.

  • Each NEDA member may receive up to $1,500 in total scholarship funds from NEDA.

  • NEDA members may apply for and use more than one scholarship in a calendar year to allow for “fast tracking” through Basic Economic Development Course (BEDC) and Economic Development Institute (EDI).

Return Applications To:

Kylie Schildt
NEDA Executive Director
Nebraska Economic Developers Association
521 First Street
PO Box 10
Milford, NE 68405
Phone: (531) 289-8329
Fax: (402) 761-2224
Email: staff@neda1.org

 

Application deadline is December 6, 2024